This salad is full of good-for-you greens and delicious, crunchy apples. For easy, fast prep, rinse romaine leaves; dry and wrap in paper towels and store in a plastic bag up to a day ahead. Mix dressing up to three days ahead, and refrigerate until ready to use; whisk before tossing with apples. Chop leaves at serving time.

These early season apples are immensely popular. Gala apples ranked at number 2 in 2006 on the US Apple Association’s list of most popular apples. They are sweet and aromatic, with a size that fits nicely into a child’s hands. It can be added in salads, or cooked, and is especially suitable for creating sauces. And if a Gala apple reminds you somewhat of a Gold Delicious – it should – they are related!